For the sixth consecutive year, Oregon farmers and ranchers have been left unscathed by a faltering economy.
A report by the Oregon State University Extension Service says Oregon’s agricultural sales increased overall in 2008, a success that hits home with local growers.
David Turner, director of the Lane County Farmers’ Market, said the market experienced its best year in sales last year with $1.8 million.
“People seem to be gaining an understanding of how important buying local is,” he said.
Most of the farmers of Lane County Farmers’ Market don’t sell to major distributors, but instead sell to local buyers.
“They are very focused on regional markets,” he said. “They diversify and sell at market, some have (Community Supported Agriculture) plans, and a number of farmers wholesale to local grocery stores.”
Ed Gerdes, vice president of local restaurant chain Café Yumm!, said nearly 25 percent of the restaurant’s food products come from the Willamette Valley, and seeking out local growers is a top priority for the company.
“It’s good for our communities to buy more locally,” he said. “It’s the right thing to do, and it falls in line with our business philosophy,” which supports incorporating sound social and environmental practices.
Nursery and greenhouse crops made up the largest percentage of sales in 2008 with 16 percent, but a number of other sectors grew substainably.
Hay and forage sales increased more than any other agriculture sector with an increase of 23.6 percent, but small fruits and berries – a sector present at farmers’ markets – came in a close second with a 23 percent increase. Cranberries and blueberries were the top sellers in the small fruits sector.
By the numbers
| Top five sales sectors in 2008 ? Nursery and greenhouse crops, 16 percent ? Cattle, 14 percent ? Grass and legume seeds, 10 percent ? Dairy products, 10 percent ? Hay and forage, 9 percent ? Grains, 8 percent Sectors that experienced the most growth in 2008 ? Hay and forage, 23.6 percent increase ? Small fruits and berries, 23 percent increase ? Field crops, 22 percent increase ? Vegetable crops, 17 percent increase ? Dairy products, 13 percent increase |
Other sectors that grew last year are field crops, vegetable crops and dairy products.
Although still a top contributor to overall sales, cattle sales dropped 6.6 percent in 2008, which the OSU report indicates is due to lower inventory and prices.
After a successful 2008 season, Turner said, Lane County Farmers’ Market has opened its doors for the first time during the post-holiday winter season. Farmers now come to market on two weekends a month during January, February and March.
Farmers’ Market’s regular season market will open next month starting April 4.
Because the local weather doesn’t yield desired products throughout the year, Café Yumm! buys from local farms seasonally, Gerdes said, and there are advantages to buying in the Eugene area.
“We’re blessed here in the Willamette Valley with not only a lot of local growers, but a lot of organic growers, which is equally important,” he said.
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